UNICAL Registrar Lauds Campus Light crew

By Chinwe Ohaeri, Gift Adah

Members of Campus Light crew, the publishers of Campus Light magazine and owners of campuslightpress.blogspot.com have received commendation for their efforts in projecting the image of University of Calabar in good light through their publication.

The Registrar of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Mr. Moses Abang gave the commendation when members of the Campus Light crew paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently.

According to Abang, he feels a sense of pride reading stories from students, stressing that the management holds campus journalists in high esteem since their stories is a reflection of what students are going through.

He however, cautioned campus journalists to practice within the framework of principles guiding the journalism profession which he noted were truth, objectivity, balance and fairness.

He said: “As campus journalists, you should be advocates of fairness, justice and integrity.  These tools, will give you an edge over your peers in the political, economic, and social set up"

On his part, the Chairman editorial board of the magazine Emmanuel Shebbs congratulated Mr Abang on his appointment and intimated him on campus journalists' activities in the school and as well seek moral support and counsel from the registrar.

Shebbs revealed that the magazine which started as a tabloid have advanced to magazine, stressing that Campus Light magazine remains the voice of the students and conscience of the public, who must understand issues and engineer social change.

He thanked the management of the institution for the opportunity given them and promised that Campus Light magazine will be used to showcase the research breakthroughs and other achievements of the institution to the outside world.

Shebbs pledged the crew's commitment to the present administration's programmes through their reporting and publications.

Also speaking, Stanley Uchegbu, the Associate Editor of the magazine said they were impressed with the level of development witnessed during the last and the incumbent administration. This, he said has continued to spur them in carrying out their duties as campus journalists.

"As Campus Light reporters, we also report for different national newspapers, including The Nation, Daily Sun and Vanguard newspaper among others," Stanley added.

Others who formed part of the crew who visited the registrar were Chinwe Ohaeri, 400 level Human Anatomy, Gift Adah, 100 level Faculty of Law and Raymond, 500 level Electronic and Computer Technology ( ECT).

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UNICAL Inaugurates New Students' Union Excos

By Chinwe Ohaeri, Ubong Edet, Gift Adah and Raymond
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The members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), who were recently elected through e-voting system have been sworn in.

The SUG officials led by Daniel Joseph, a 500 level student of Medicine and Surgery were sworn in last week in a ceremony held at the varsity’s new Senate Chambers.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Zana Akpagu, who came in the company of other principal officers of the university, assured the union leaders of his administration support stressing that student's welfare still remained his cardinal objectives.

Prof. Zana charged the union leaders not to see him as the VC rather as one of them who was once a resident of malabor republik adding that the spirit of a malabite still dwells in him.

The VC promised to create an enabling environment that would improve the academic standards of students.

He reminded them that the essence of their election was to render reputable services as well provision of good governance to the students, even as he implore them to always use dialogue to resolve issues among themselves and always maintain a cordial and long lasting relationship with the management.

Prof Zana while commending the Calabar University Electoral Commission (CUECO) for a perfect job well done, expressed his administration’s commitment to partner with the students’ union and assist them to enhance smooth operation activities.

Presenting the new executive for oath taking, the CUECO Chairman and Director of Academic Planning, Dr. Patrick Egaga stated that the task saddled on them was onerous but thanked God that it was successfully executed.

On his part, the Director of Center for Educational Services, Dr. James Okpiliyi noted that the electioneering process was not an easy one but was peaceful conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Student's union constitution.

The oath of office was first administered to the president followed by his executive by Barr. Mannix Nyiam , a legal adviser

Speaking on behalf of the new executive, Joseph said integrity would be the watchword of his administration and that he and his fellow leaders will ensure a sound bridge between the students and the school authority.

He solicited for the support of the school authority stressing that gone were the days when aluta spirit was known for violence.

While praising the courage of students for electing him as their leader, he commended his predecessor for keeping the tradition of the union noting that
the outgoing executive led by Ekpo Tete raised the bar of performance.

Other members of the SUG leaders sworn in are Nkpoikana Abasi - Vice President, Isong Eugene - Secretary General, Precious Ikunisi - Deputy Secretary General, Peace Ezenwa - Financial Secretary, Emmanuel Akpan - Director of Welfare, Sunday David - Director of Sports, Victor Iheanacho - Director of Social and Michael Ikyar - Director of Information.

In their separate interviews with CAMPUS LIGHT, Essien Ukeme , a 300-Level Political Science, said from what he heard about the union president, he believes the SUG would work more for the student with the new VC whose objective of his administration is student's welfarism.

“Our expectations from the new administration are high and I believe he would perform better than his predecessors,” Ukeme said.

Jennifer Abang, a 100 Level student, said the challenges before the union are enormous, noting that only a visionary leader could surmount those problems.

Other dignitaries at the event include, the Registrar Mr. Abang Moses, Deputy Vice Chancellor on Administration, Prof. Ndifreke James,  Dean of student's affairs, Prof. Felix Akpan, Director CES, Dr. James Okpiliyi, Librarian Dr. Mrs. Ruth Bassey, Bursar, Mr. Peter Agi among others.

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Be the reporter! Send us stories of event making the rounds in your school and we will publish them. Send it via e-mail Aimdking88@yahoo.com.

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UNICAL Bursar Welcomes Campus Light Crew

"Campus Light is a worthy vision" said Mr. Peter Abang, the Registrar University of Calabar .

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Refuse Overtakes Students Market

The most popular market for University of Calabar (Unical) students and the gateway for about 45% of students into the University community has been overtaken by debris and presently passerby are forced to climb a stinking mountainous heap before they could gain entrance into the university through the Goldie gate. A huge part of the market has been converted to refuse dump reports Idiongesit Imuk

Goldie Market is a popular students’ market in Calabar. With more than 150 shops, kiosk, shades, stalls, etc the market is the commercial nerve centre of Goldie Street as students go there to buy domestic articles on daily basis. The market features a bee hive of business activities from 6:00 am to 10pm every day. Goldie Market has recently lost its glory as pile of refuse dumped close to the market has overtaken its face.

Students rubbing on refuse hip while passing into the school

Goldie Market serves as a major thoroughfare for Unical students residing off campus. They make use of the market’s isle while passing into Unical small gate popularly known as ‘Goldie Small Gate’. Many students prefer passing through the Goldie Small Gate as it is a treckable distance to Unical especially for students who reside in Calabar South area.

One major advantage of the market is its proximity to the school. The market shares boundary with Unical students’ hostel, known as Malabo. More than 90% of Unical students live off campus.

Recently, students have raised complains regarding the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at the market which has caused a huge stack of refuse dump, blocking the narrow isle through which students pass. The huge refuse emit an odious stench which booms around the area even into the school community.

At the entrance of the gate is a security booth which is usually occupied by Unical security personnel. A security officer who spoke with Campuslife said the odious smell oozing from the refuse dump is nauseating and very disgusting for a clean city like Calabar.

A 300 level student in Faculty of Education, Effiong Samuel lamented in nostalgia the recent degradation of the market and its environs. He said: “Gone are days when Calabar was clean. That was in the days of Gov. Donald Duke. Successive governments have not tried at maintaining the cleanliness of the city. When you go to the media they show you clean Calabar Street; that is the Government House and the tourist sites. They do not show you the real residential area where the real Calabar people dwell liek this Goldie Street.”

Campus life gathered that there is a refuse bin usually kept at the market. “Whenever the bin gets full, the officials will come and lift them”, said one of the market women who gave her name as Eka Harry. But recently, the market people have not seen the officials come to empty the refuse bin which has filled up beyond its capacity.

It is usually the duty of Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) to keep Calabar clean. CUDA officials drop waste bins at strategic points in Calabar for people to drop their home-used refuse therein. When each refuse bin gets filled-up, the CUDA officials would come with a towing van and pack them away, empty the waste bin and return it back to the location. In the absence of waste bin in particular location, people would litter the area with refuse on the floor. The CUDA officials would shove the refuse back into waste bin when they come around.

Some time ago, the refuse bin at Goldie Market got filled and the CUDA officials jacked it away without returning it. The refuse has been abandoned unkempt from more than 2 months. A market seller who spoke with Campuslife said “the last time they came to pack the refuse bin was second week of February. Since then we haven’t seen them again”.

But, there is another issue which bothers the market people in addition to the refuse stench. The market sellers complained that they were robbed by some persons who claimed to be officials in a bid to help them clear the refuse. One of the market women, Madam Charity said: “a group of boys came here last month and robbed us. They claimed to be CUDA officials. They told us that the waste bin they use for carrying refuse from our market has gone bad, so we should contribute money for the purchase of a new one. Everyone in the market contributed N500 each and gave to those boys.

“After collecting the money, they disappeared and we didn’t see them again and the refuse has not been packed. When we went to CUDA office, they told us that there was nothing like that. They said those boys were touts and they robbed us. They took advantage of the situation to rob us”.

“Goldie Market is an ancient market” said an elderly woman who claimed she was born Calabar. “The market has been here before I was born. We used to burn refuse each time it gets filled up. When Donald Duke came in as the governor, he started clearing up refuse by putting refuse bin there. That has been the practice since 1999. But recently we discovered that the CUDA officials are no more serious about the sanity of the market”.

A 300 level student of Medicine who simply gave his name as Jerry said the state government should choose another dumping site for refuse rather than causing a huge stench around the market area. Adebayo, 300 level Political Science said the market is very uncomfortable for sale of consumables.

Close to the refuse is a woman who sells fresh fruits, tomato and pepper. She said she can’t close her market because of refuse. “It is not our duty to pack this refuse. It is the government’s duty. I have my children at home to feed. I will not close shop”. 

Sellers use rusted roofing sheets to create a demarcation between their shops and the refuse which lies at the middle of the road while they chase flies from time to time off their sales. Vultures and wild birds perch on the refuse to search for meals, often times scattering them. The refuse grow up every day as people come at night with refuse bags and empty them on the high-heaped refuse dump in the market.

All efforts to reach the management of CUDA proved abortive. But an Environmental Health Officer who spoke with Campuslife at Calabar South Local Government said it is not the duty of the Local Government Council to clean up the streets. It used to be our duty. We can do it more effectively. But, since politicians came in, they decided to take over the whole duty. We sit here in the local government to collect salaries but politicians take over our jobs.
“It is duty to of CUDA to clean up Calabar streets. When their attention is called to it, they will do it”, he said.

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Kidnapped Unical 3 Released

3 persons kidnapped from the staff quarters of University of Calabar (UNICAL) have regained their freedom after spending 10 days in the underworld.

Dr. David Iniama and wife and Daughter of Dr. Wilfred Ndifon were kidnapped on May Day holiday by a group of gun men who raided Unical staff quarters at around 8PM. After they were kidnapped, the gunmen made away with their human-booty with a ready speed boat. They took through the Qua River which shares boundary with the University campus via the Staff Quarters region.

Dr. David is the son of Barr. Iniama who is the Deputy Registrar of Unical Graduate School while Dr. Wilfred Ndifon is a lecturer in the Unical Medical Collage.

The gunmen, numbering about 9, raided Unical staff quarters, shooting sporadically into the air. There was no report of bullet injuries after the operation.

The hoodlums who troubled the peace of staff quarters for a period of not less than 20 minutes were unchallenged by security personnel around the area including the Unical security team and a group of policemen who were contracted by the residents to assist the security of the quarters.

After 10 days of abduction, the Unical 3 were released to join their families who had been engaged in intensive prayers.

In a chat with our correspondent, Barr. Iniama expressed appreciation to God for the return of his son, Dr. David Iniama to the family. “We thank God that our loved ones have rejoined us. I have nothing much to say but to give glory to God”.

Barr. Iniama refused to make comments regarding ransom paid for release, negotiations following to the release of the abductees.

The residence of Dr. Ndifon was under lock and key when our correspondent visited.

However, English Puppies (baby dogs) were seen chained to the corridors of most lecturers who reside in the quarters. There are indications that the puppies were acquired recently to assist keep the quarters secure. The university management is yet to approve the use of pets in the University environment.
Our correspondents were not informed if the University management played any role in the negotiation and release of the abductees.

Meanwhile, there were indications that the security around the staff quarters area of the University has been beefed up following the incident. When our reporters visited, security officials were seen around the axis.

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UNICAL 67th Inaugural Lecture

 

By Ubong Edet

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) 67th inaugural lecture which took place on 11th May, 2016 started at about 3pm with a procession by the Vice Chancellor, Management team and the inaugural lecturer. The event that took place in UNICAL International Conference Center witnessed a great turnout within and outside the school community.

The Vice Chancellor who was ably represented by DVC Academics Prof. Florence Obi in her welcome/opening speech thanked God for making the day a reality, also expresses gratitude to everyone who sidelined their different engagements to be in the lecture.

At the end, she implored everyone to sit back and listen careful as the lecture goes on.

After due introduction of the inaugural lecturer Prof. Mildred John, here comes the lecture - VALUE-ADDED NURSING CARE: BEST PRACTICE OR WISHFUL THINKING?

Prof. Mildred started the lecture by reprimanding the words of Florence Nightingale which is “Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it we are going back” and “I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results”.

According to her, at a time the Nursing profession was at the crossroads especially in Nigeria and many other developing nations, stressing that there are so many challenges confronting the Nursing Profession  in Nigeria.

These challenges according to her are the fact that the public image of the nurse is still far from good, nurses are not practicing optimally as stipulated by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) as well as the shortage of Nurses have led to task shifting, and evidence-based practice  not fully implemented.

She blamed the scenario in the health sector where a 21st-century medical Technology is being delivered with 20th century organizational structures and management practices, as the reason why many protocols put in place to improve patient care generally and nursing care delivery in particular merely add quantity but fail to improve the value of the care being delivered.

She noted that the ability of the nurse to respond to people’s needs within the rapidly changing environment of health care depends on the way in which nursing work is organized in the health care delivery system, the way in which nursing practice is regulated, the quality of care assured, the way in which nurse practitioners are prepared, and the way that nursing itself is defined.

Speaking further, she said the Nursing profession should be seen as an art, a science, a vocation, a profession, a practice discipline and a career about caring and it is a crucial part of healthcare delivery and the largest health care occupation accounting for about 70% of the clinical workforce in any country with goals to promote health and wellness, prevent illness and injury, restore health and alleviate suffering, ensuring that individuals, families and communities attain, maintain and/or recover optima health and wellbeing.

She concluded that value-added care is therefore the best practice and nurses must strive to use it when caring for patients in order for the profession to survive in the contemporary health care system.

She said: "based on the above discoursed, is it possible to achieve value-added nursing care as best practice in Nigeria, or is this mere wishful thinking?

" The answer to this question is a definite ‘Yes’ if the care given by the nurse involves this 7Cs – Care, Compassion, Competence, Effective Communication, Courage, Commitment, and Change in attitude (humanitude).

"These are implied in the global standards of nursing practice for patient-centered care.
A value-added nurse must contribute the following; Serving locally, transforming regionally and leading globally."

She recommended the following as prerequisites to achieving Value-Added Nursing in Nigeria:

(i) Preparing nurses in Nigeria to provide value-added care through appropriate nursing education.

(ii) Investing in up-skilling of the current workforce and employment of more nurses with Bachelor of Nursing degree in direct patient care.

(iii) Internship in nursing.

(iv) Leading change through research.

(v) Effective leadership and mentoring in nursing.

(vi) Use of theoretical models of care in patient care, especially the nursing process and caring models in Nigeria.

(vii) Improving the work environment to make it conducive to practice value-added nursing care.

(viii) Evidence- based and best practice guidelines.

(ix) Enforcing appropriate and supportive human resources policies for value-added nursing practice.

The highpoints of the lecture were the presentation of award by the vice chancellor to the Inaugural Lecturer as University of Calabar 67th Inaugural Lecturer and also declaring the lecture closed.

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In Photos: University of Calabar 67th Inaugural Lecture

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) last Wednesday, 11th May, held her 67 inaugural lecture on the topic 'valued-added nursing care: best practice or wishful thinking? '

The inaugural lecture presented  by Prof. Mildred E. John was held at the University International Conference Centre amid great attendance.

See the pictures of the event after the cut.

Photo 1: The inaugural lecturer, Prof. Mildred E. John  in an excited mood after doing justice to the lecture. 

Photo 2: Prof. Mildred E. John making her presentation. 

Photo 3: the academia at the event  

Photo 4: Students of Nursing science were not left out. The were fully represented. 

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Get our latest edition

Right here is our latest edition.

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Its sold in major book shops and media stands.

Place order and have it distributed to your doorstep (only in Nigeria).

Price: $2:00
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Contact+2348063400402 for more information.

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Korean Ambassador Lectures the Academy

By: Ubong Edet

It was insightful, impacting and imparting as University of Calabar (Unical) receives the Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Nigeria, His Excellency Ambassador Noh Kyu-Duk who came for 2016 Biennial Lecture series.

The university management declared the day lecture-free for the academic community members to attend.

The lecture had the propensity of drawing people from far and near to the University the likes of the Prelate, Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN), His Eminence, Most Rev. Prof. E. M. Uka and others too numerous to mention.

The Chairman of the event Prof. Chris Nwamoh, Director Center for Asian-African Studies Unical in his opening remarks welcomed Management, Staff and Students of the University to the 2016 Biennial Lecture Series of Ambassador of Republic of Korea.

Prof. Zana Akpagu, the Chief Host in his speech said “on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, Management, Staffs and Students welcome His Excellency to University of Calabar. We are particularly delighted that you’ve chosen our University for your lecture.

“I want to quickly give credit to my predecessor Prof. Epoke for this initiative, for attracting very honorable and collaborative partners to this University”.

“I want to also thank His Excellency for choosing us; we are just one University among one hundred and eight (180) now in the nation. For us it’s a privilege. We also see it as some form of recognition; sometimes we tend to forget our work, so an occasion like this will help revive the dormant spirit in us. This is an opportunity to foster closer time with you, because Korea doesn’t have oil like Nigeria but one of the most developed countries in the world, all of these are achieved with the investment in human capital. We want to learn from you because even our oil is becoming a curse to us, for we’ve not been able to harness the benefit and transform our country to be like that of Dubai, Saudi Arabia or any of the developed states. This is so because we’ve missed from the starting point and thank you for choosing our students, for they are the future leaders.

As I told you earlier in the meeting we had behind closed doors in my office, I’ll be visiting you with a long shopping lists, for you to help us establish hydro-electrical project, we also want to establish Malabo FM, we want to introduce E-Learning so you can help us achieve all of these, due to your inclination in technologies., we are also going to establish the Korean Cultural Centre in the University so we want to collaborate with you to help us do Students/Lecturers exchange, so we can build a closer time with you and the Republic of South Korea. Once again, you are welcomed”.

Speaking on the topic, the underbelly of South Korea’s economic Development; Korea and Nigeria at 36, Korean Amassador dissects history revealing that Korea has a protracted challenge but in the challenge is a miracle that led to the economic glory.

A country born some decades ago among other Asian Tigers, Korea was in worst economic condition than Nigeria. However, with determination, Korea engineered the trajectory in their history that gave them the effrontery to pull out to greatness.

He said Korea’s economy suffered because of series of wars that eventually resulted in economic glory.

How can Nigeria spur up to economic glory? The elite adviced that the Nigerian can overcome oil curse to become top global economy in the world when the youths are equipped with updated skills and technologies, provided platforms for secured jobs. He adds that income should be effectively generated to reduce the high verve poverty to its barest minimum by the Nigerian government.

He expressed Korea’s readiness to partner with Nigeria in order to develop both countries.

“Why I chose to come to Nigeria again as Korean Ambassador to Nigeria is because Nigeria is the future of Africa”, he opined.

He likened Nigeria to Korea of yesteryears noting that “Korea started its journey of development in the 1960s and 1970s. From 1970 it went into Petroleum thereafter in 1980s delved into electricity.

The story is different for Korea today as “Korea produces 80,000 mega watts per day. We later went into Saemaul (New Village) Movement – Rural development, whereby the capital city gave funds and materials such as housing, road, bridges materials to rural environment to remove all the thatch houses and make good road network to help boost their economy.

“Today Korea is one of the largest in the world as regards ship building, Kia Automobile, Samsung, LG product to the Labour Market. Korea has nothing less than 50,000,000 populations”.

Nigeria’s friendliness with Korea is age long as Presidents of both countries visit themselves occasionally for business talks, seminars and signing of agreements.

President Chun visited Nigeria 1982 during Shagari’s regime. President Obasanjo went to Korea in the year 2000. President Roh came to Abuja in 2006; that was in Obasano’s regime. Obasanjo, the same year visited Korea. In 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan visited Korea for a Nuclear Security Summit. President Buhari visited Korea also in 2015.

Korea is establishing some project and companies in Nigeria such as Samsung Heavy Industries, FPSO, Hyundai Car Plant, Daewoo Nigeria Building Limited and Solar-Powered Internet School. Other establishments include Taekwondo Classes, K-Pop Dance Competition of which Nigeria won last year in Korea and that shows that Nigeria is indeed a nation embedded with much natural abilities.

Ambassor Noh Kyu-Duk disclosed that Korean government is making plans to establish E-Government System in Nigeria to help foster transparency in the government.

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UNICAL Residents Raise Alarm Over Abandonment of Refuse and Impending Epidemic

By Stanley Uchegbu

The residents of University of Calabar (UNICAL) hostel, Goldie street axis and shop owners have on Tuesday called on the Cross River state government to prevail on the stench emanating from refuse being dumped at the Goldie market.

The residents who feared they might soon contact airborne disease due to their long exposure to heap of refuse blamed their predicament on the management of the Cross River State Environmental Protection Agency, whom they accused of insensitivity and dereliction of duty.

The areas which have become impassable because of the offensive odour emanating from the refuse, are said to be abandoned by the Agency who seems to have no plans to evacuate the refuse which is life threatening to the residents.

A UNICAL security man who works at the small gate of the campus just opposite the Dump site who spoke under the condition of anonymity explained that for a long time the odour from the refuse has caused them a lot of inconveniences and expressed the fear that the outbreak of epidemic was imminent if the situation was not checked.

For food vendors and market sellers at the market “the stench from the site has recently affected our business as most of our customers have refused to patronise us due to the development”, a shop owner who gave his name as Philip said.

According to John Nsikak who lives at Goldie street axis, “some residents of the street took advantage of the situation to empty waste at odd hours of the night”. This is bad.

He said odour was so bad that even if you lock yourself inside your room, “you were not safe”, he complained.

For shop owners around the street the story was the same as investigations showed that business has been low due to the stench from the refuse dump.

“Since this thing started, many students don’t come here again to buy food especially the those who stays off campus”, lamented Mrs. Jane Umoh, a food vendor.

While wondering when dumping of refuse would stop at that site, she urged the relevant government agency to do something about it.

A shop owner who did not give his name for fear of being victimized described their situation as helpless which he said they have committed into the hands of God.

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Newspaper Vendors Decry Low Patronage in Calabar

By Stanley Uchegbu

Some newspaper vendors in Calabar municipality have expressed disappointment over low patronage of newspapers, attributing it to the increase in the price from the initial N150 to N200.

When visited some of the junctions where they make their sales, reports that the turnout of buyers was unimpressive.

Victor Edet, a newspaper vendor at the UNICAL main gate said that since last two months the price was increased, patronage from buyers has not been encouraging.

He said that people would come, price and go without buying, adding that the increase was affecting their business.

Some of our customers now use their smart phones to browse news, said Victor.

Charles Madu, one of the vendors at Marian hill said that he made more sales when the price stood at N150.

He noted that even though many workers have received their salaries, yet the situation was also affecting their business.

“I do not think I will be here much longer because business is very dull.

“I had expected that with the payment of salaries more customers would buy; but that has not been the case,’’ he said.

He pleaded with the newspaper publishers to come to their rescue by reducing the price to its normal N150.

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Writing and Public Speaking Competition

Enter for the INTELLECTUAL WRITING /PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS : Secondary  and tertiary schools' students

TOPIC: The concept of change, a policy for national transformation.

PRIZES TO BE WON INCLUDE :

Secondary school category:

*laptop,bag and 2 best selling books(1st prize)

*android tab and 2 best selling books(2nd prize)

Tertiary schools:
*N30,000 and android tab and 2 best selling books(1st prize). 

*N10,000 and android tab and 2 best selling books (2nd Prize)

..... And more consolation prizes

To participate, pick a registration form at the rate of N1000 at sparks shopz opposite UNICAL small gate.

For more info and sponsorship: call 08063840682, 08181034601

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MEET THE NEWLY-ELECTED LEADERSHIP OF THE UNICAL SUG

 

Students of the University of Calabar, Calabar recently went to the polls via e-voting to elect students into the Students Union Government for the 2015/2016 academic session.

Below is the outcome of the election:

PRESIDENT: Daniel Joseph (Med.Surg)

VICE PRESIDENT : Nkpoikana-Abasi Aniefiok (History and
International Studies)

SECRETARY GENERAL: Isong Eugene (Law)

DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL : Bamidele Ikunisi Precious
(Linguistics and Communication skills)

FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Ezenwa Peace (Social Science Education).

DIRECTOR Of INFORMATION : Michael Jacob Ikyar(Linguistics
and Communication skills)

DIRECTOR Of WELFARE : Emmanuel Peter (Med.Lab Science)

DIRECTOR Of SOCIALS : Ihenacho Victor (Botany)

DIRECTOR Of SPORTS : David Sunday (Political Science)

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5 Attributes of Academically Successful Students You Should Know

Students who top their class in virtually every given course they offer in the university are humans like me and you with blood running through their veins. They are no double-headed 'monsterous' humans. The only comparative advantage they may perhaps have over their underperforming so to say counterparts is the attributes they possess and exhibits.

1. They involve themselves in extracurricular activities:

Over-performers are not only configured to their books but are involved in other activities outside the classroom. Most of them participate actively in students’ union politics such as kparakpos, departmental and at the faculty level.
They join clubs that will impact them academically and otherwise. Clubs like SIFE, Rotaract, Keggite, Students’ press groups and fellowships play a pivotal role in moulding the student in one way or the other.

This is so because the knowledge a student acquires in activities outside his/her regular academic curriculum does not only add to such a student’s repertoire of knowledge but goes a long way to make such a student useful and marketable in the real world. It adds to such a student’s curriculum vitae i.e. the summary of your academic and work history.

2. They Do Assignments:

Assignments, field trips etc. are academic requirements for every student. That’s why in most assignments you’ll include the statement “in partial fulfilment of the course GSA 111 requirements”.

Students who are successful academically don’t joke with assignments among other things. Because sometimes the assignment or term paper a lecturer gives a student is what eventually appears in examination. Better still, most assignments are scored to make-up for continuous assessment in the absence of any test. So assignments form the basis of most academically successful students. All these help in a way to boast your semester grade point average (GPA) which culminates to the culminative grade point Average (CGPA) at the end of the session.

3. They cover their Syllabus before hand :

Most students make a conscious effort to cover the syllabus of the courses they’ll offer in a said session beforehand. They don’t just read covering the syllabus but they also make notes that are self-explanatory and they can easily recall its content when the need arises. This is where prior knowledge comes to play.

Knowledge one acquires beforehand can easily be recalled but the reverse is always the case. So when you read before a semester resumes or during the holiday, it helps you to understand the one the lecturer will lecture upon resumption. It prepares and keeps you ahead. And first-class rated students don’t fail to explore this option. Before the holiday period elapses or school resumes they’ve already had a foretaste of what their academic workload will look like.

..... To be continued.

This article first appeared on myJCR.com
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UNICAL: Abductors demand ransom

KIDNAPPERS of the University of Calabar staff are demanding a ransom before they could release their victims.

The abductors are demanding a ransom to the tune of  N60 million from the family members.

Investigations by Daily Sun revealed that the kidnappers called yesterday demanding that each of the two families should pay N30 million as ransom to secure their release.

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HOW KIDNAPPERS RAIDED UNICAL STAFF QUARTERS, ABDUCTED 3

3 persons, including a lecturer’s wife, his daughter and a Medical Doctor were on May Day’s holiday abducted by a group of men from the underworld who raided UNICAL staff quarters with arms and ammunitions.

UNICAL Staff Quarters

Unical Staff Quarters; an ambient zone, located about 2 Kilometres away from the University’s academic area is a home for University lecturers and some students. University Staff, especially senior staff are given some chalets in the quarters to live with their families. Some students squat in the Boys Quarters section of the chalets, often ramshackle and rustic one-door rooms. The students get these rooms from lecturers who give them away for a token, as low as N15,000 (about $50), annually.

The Staff Quarters, about 10 Kilometre Square in land mass is sharing boundary with UNICAL Farm on the west and Qua River on the south.

Inhabitants of the quarters benefit from the quarter’s proximity to classrooms and offices, steady supply of water and light etc. The Quarters has a trekable distance from the school through foot-long shortcuts and bush paths which students take to their classes. The road leading to the Staff Quarters is well-tarred for vehicles and automobiles, making it one of the places in UNICAL with good road network.

Barr.  Ekpeyong Bassey Iniama and Dr. Wilfred Ndifon are few of many UNICAL staff whose residence are in the Staff Quarters.

Barr. Iniama, with his family have been living in the Staff Quarters since 1998.

Barr. Iniama is the Deputy Registrar Academics of UNICAL Graduate School while Dr. Ndifon is a Lecturer in Medical Collage of the University.

The Staff Quarters has been a peaceful solace for the Iniamas, the Ndifons and a host of other academic families in UNICAL until recently when they started experiencing some flakes of attacks from men of the underworld.

9 armed men struck UNICAL Staff Quarters on May Day

On 2nd day of May, 2016, being the May Day Holiday, members of Knight of Saint Molumba (KSM) Zone 2 were in a meeting at Barr. Iniama’s residence.
The meeting is a periodic one which is hosted on rotation by the members of KSM. 2nd day of May was the turn of Barr. Iniama to host.

Barr. Iniama is a member of the Zone while his wife, Mrs. Iniama is the Treasurer.

“I went to Uyo that day but I didn’t plan to stay long”, said Barr. Iniama. He couldn’t meet up when the meeting started. “You know how bad our road is; you cannot tell how long a journey would take you.

“When I got to 8 Miles I received a call that there was sporadic gun shot in my area. I called my wife and she assured me that the meeting was going on peacefully. I wasn’t satisfied so I called my daughter; she was crying. At that point I knew something was wrong. It then appeared to me that my wife didn’t want to reveal something to me so that I won’t panic while travelling on the road”.

“But before then, people were calling me that there was chaos in my compound. So, I put a call across to the Airport Division of Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to report the case. I called the police men that were attached to us here. I also called the University Security officials.

“When I arrived my house, I met them at the meeting. Everyone was bemoaned.

How Dr. Iniama was kidnapped

Dr. David Ekpenyong Iniama is the first son of Barr. Iniama. He is a Doctor of Medicine and a graduate of UNICAL. He is currently working with the Society for Family Health (SFH) in Calabar.

Dr. David is one of the many children staying with their parents at the staff quarters. He goes to work from home and comes back in the evening. 
He doesn’t normally come home late hours of the day. He was late that day because “there was a program which SFH was organising in Calabar which my son is playing a significant role. The program was supposed to start the next day so he stayed back in the office to put plans together ahead of the program”, said his father Barr. Iniama.

When he came back from work around 8PM, Dr. David Iniama was not anticipating any harm. To him, the day was like a normal day. He parked his car in open garage and steped out. Immediately, a two boys came from the bush, accosted him and started harassing him, dragging him along. 

Mrs. Iniama was in the meeting of KSM, giving a financial report of the union to the members when she heard his son’s loud exchanges with the gang outside. She peeped thru the window and saw two men dragging her son. She immediately sensed danger and raised alarm.
She quickly ran outside and screamed at those boys “what has my son done? Leave him alone. Leave him alone”.

The boys insisted and kept dragging him into the bush. At the intervention of Mrs. Iniama, it became difficult for the boys to drag Dr. David. They signalled two other people who were readily ambushed nearby. They came out with guns; that was when the shooting started.

They shot sporadically into the air and threatened to shoot Mrs. Iniama but the lovely mother insisted and shouted “kill me and leave my son”. They overpowered Mrs. Iniama and assisted the other two who came initially to drag Dr. David away.

How Dr. Ndifon's Wife and Daughter were kidnapped

The helpless exchanges and the alarm raised by the Iniamas awakened the consciousness of neighbours. The Ndifons, staying two blocks away from the Iniamas were concerned so they decided to lend some help.

As soon as Mrs. Ndifon in the company of her daughter came out, they were abducted without any difficulty by a group of about 4 boys.

It was then that the residents realised that they were under attack.

Four simultaneous attacks were going on at the same time amidst sporadic firing of gun which was gathered to be the AK-47 riffle.

The entire Staff Quarters was raided by a group of boys who gained access to the vicinity through the Qua River located about 4 poles away from the quarters.

According Barr. Iniama, “by the time I came back, the police, the DSS, the Chief Security officer were all in my house. They had reacted to my call and I was very happy about that”.

Shortly after the attack, some inhabitants of Staff Quarters who reside upstairs heard a speed boat take off from the river bank. There was strong suspicion that the boat was the medium through which the abductors came.

Where the security men?

Staff Quarters has two security booths, located close to each other. But the residents are not satisfied with the services of the UNICAL security outfit so they resorted to the NPF. Each staff living in block QH/QI make a contribution of N3000 monthly into a common purse for security in the area. The money is paid to the Airport Division of the NPF who would send only 2 policemen to the quarters every night.

When the incident happened, the two policemen were in the second security booth about 50 Metres away from Dr. Iniama’s house. “They were not on patrol. They sat there doing nothing. That is how they do every day”, said a furious resident. Barr. Iniama added that “there is a limit at which the security can go. They are not guarding one house only but so many houses. So they cannot be everywhere at the same time”.

Before the abductors came

There has been series of attacks at the Staff Quarters since this year. Barr. Iniama recalled what happened on 13th of February this year. “There has been this was of attack in this part of the University recently. They came on the 13th of February this year, broke the door of Prof. Okezie’s house, collected over N300,000 from him. They went to the house of this same Dr. Ndifon, broke through and collected money from him. Now they have come by way of kidnap. This means they have found our vulnerability.

Our reporter equally gathered that one Prof. Osim’s house witnessed an attack early last month when a group of boys accosted him while in his house.

There is no security light in the quarters

Before Dr. David Iniama was kidnapped, the abductors laid ambush in nearby bush. It was as soon as he packed and alighted from his car that he was accosted from the boys already hiding in the bush. “The bush is a safe haven for abductors and bad elements”, said a resident who is a student in Faculty of Education.
“There is no security light here. The only security light was in my house but it cannot beam into the bush”, said Barr. Iniama.

“When the 13th February incident happened, we met with the Vice Chancellor and he was very much concerned about the welfare of his staff. He instructed that security lights should be fixed all over the quarters. We discovered that the contractor did not put the structures along our area.  The only they put is the concrete base but there is no pole on it”.

“The other day, the Deputy Vice Chancellor came here and we showed him the half-done project. He immediately called the Director of Physical Planning to find out the reason for the delay and he said the contractor has decided to stop work because they have not given him money”.

‘We share boundary with villagers’, Victim's Dad

There are a lot of strange people who walk around the staff quarters area. They make use of the University’s land to plant shrubs, waterleaf plants, vegetables, maize plant, etc. They fetch water from the Staff Quarter’s water stand. It is normal to see strangers creep out from nearby bushes carrying fire woods, water cans, bush meats, fresh fish caught in the river etc.

There are people equally living by the river bank. They are farmers, fishermen, boat makers, hunters, etc. Barr. Iniama described the situation as improper saying that “the University is virtually living in the midst of a village. I have never seen this kind of exposure and threat since I came in here”.

When our correspondent visited the river, one of the men said he was invited by his brother to come over and do a fishing business. “I have been fishing here for more than 8 months. My business is booming”. Asked if he was there on the day of the attack, he said “no”.

ASUU shuts down classes

24 hours after the attack, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) UNICAL Chapter declared one week solidarity sympathy break for the victims.
In a telephone interview with our corresponded, the Secretary of ASUU Dr. Jonas Ekung said he hasn’t been permitted to talk to the media. But, he reiterated that the ASUU members are not on strike. He said it is normal for the union to express sympathy to their members when they are faced with critical challenges such as this.

Dr. Ekung said ASUU is not on strike. He said apart from holding lectures, other academic activities can still go on.

Any hope for the Iniama's and Ndifon's?

“We have not heard from anybody. We don’t know where they were taken to. We are praying to God because he is our only hope in the time of trouble”, said Barr. Iniama when our correspond visited him.

There is a call for immediate action to be taken by the University. Barr. Iniama adviced: “the university should put a perimeter fence round this area to save us from the danger of attacks from outsiders”.

Another resident, 400 level student of English said: “the university should be more purposeful in their action. Apart from the open attack that we experience here, there are equally phone snatching and all of that. The University should do something. It is happening to staff now, who knows if it will be the turn of students next time and by then, no one can tell what the students are able to do”.

The school Public Relations Officer, Mr. Eyo Effiong Bassey did not take calls put through his line. He was not equally on sit when our correspondent visited.

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UNICAL VC: WE ARE POISED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS’ WELFARE

The newly admitted students of University of Calabar, (UNICAL) have officially taken their oath in an event marking the 38th matriculation oath taking ceremony. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu, during the occasion, pledged to support students’ welfare.  Stanley Uchegbu (ICAN Student, Calabar) and Gift Adah (Faculty of Law) report.

On Tuesday March 22nd 2016, 8,259 students took their matriculation oaths into the University of Calabar,(UNICAL).  Out of 21,247 candidates who applied to study in the prestigious university through the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) only 8,259 met up with the admission requirements.

It was a historic one in the series as it was the first matriculation ceremony hosted by the new Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Zana Akpagu.
It was a delightful moment not only for the matriculating students but for their parents and guardians, who came around to witness the grand occasion, which marked the beginning of university education for their lucky students.

The venue of the occasion, Abraham Odia stadium was lavishly decorated and festooned with flowers, signifying the importance of the event which comes up once a year. The obstacle which the students normally go through to advance to that level adds value to the occasion, especially when one realises that there were several students who had studied very hard and sat for the UTME exam more than four times and are yet to gain admission into the university.
Before the matriculation exercise, students engaged in wild celebration by splashing themselves with all kinds of sticky liquid, dirty water, mud, including sachet water and blue solution.

The enraged students who spoke with CAMPUSLIGHT expressed displeasure over the conduct of their senior colleague before the matriculation oath taking ceremony.

A 100 level student of Human Anatomy, Paul Achunwa, who was splashed with mud said: “I would find the celebration to be good only if we do it in a proper way. I am averse to people pouring me dirty water. It is never welcomed.

It has now turned bizarre because bullying and mobbing is now associated with celebration of matriculation of freshmen in which other students chase them with dirty water used for cooking and washing.

CAMPUSLIGHT observed the excitement at off campus hostels where Ben Udofia, a 300 level student of Agricultural Science and comedian mobbed his occupant with a bucket of muddy water. He was drenched from head to toe.

Another student splashed him with water mixed with powdered pepper.

According to Edith Effiok, a 100 level student of Biochemistry, I was still on bed when some group of youth invaded my hostel. They were carrying buckets of muddy water, blue solution and other sticky liquid they collected from the gutter. They ordered me to come out and I obeyed; they asked me to kneel down, I obeyed; they splashed the whole content on me, I nearly collapsed because the mud and other particles from the liquid blocked my nostrils. It was so disgusting.
Abasieffiok Jude, a graduating student of Economics said: ‘’Water baptism’ is a form of celebration which signifies the washing down of unforeseen academic stress, hurdles and frustration. I don’t see it as a bad culture but as part of the excitement that characterise admission into the university.

Vera Akpama, a final year student of Philosophy, who opposed the wild celebration said: “It is always fun and an official way used by the senior students in welcoming their junior colleague into the campus. But, I am completely against the mobbing and pouring of dirty water on new students. It is unhygienic and should not be encouraged.

The matriculation proper started at exactly 10am with procession of matriculating students and the university senate into the venue, Abraham Odia Stadium. 
Also in the procession were Deputy Vice Chancellor on Academic, Prof. Mrs. Florence Obi, University Registrar, Mr. Moses Abang, Dean of Graduate School Prof. Emeka Okwueze and his counterpart Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Felix Akpan among other dignitaries.

Presenting his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Akpagu disclosed that the approved admission quota by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is 6,787, “but over 17,898 students applied to the university through the UTME while 3,347 applied through Direct Entry”.

Taking a phrase from the Holy Bible, the first Alumni VC said “many are called but few are chosen”. He described the new students as the few who have been luckily chosen from the huge number of applicants to the university.

As a one time student of the university, Prof. Akpagu expressed that his policies are pro-student and he is poised to support the welfare of the students in his administration. “The students are my priority. The students form the core of the university community.

Still speaking, the VC noted that his administration is waging a relentless war against extortion by lecturers, sorting by students, indiscipline, violation of rules and procedures, rape, sexual harassment and other unethical practices in the university.

He advised the students to constantly stick to their main goal of coming to the university which is reading and learning to earn a good degree. “The goal cannot be achieved if you avail yourself to frivolous activities. Be focused and obey the university’s rules and regulations”, Prof. Akpaagu stated.

One of the students who could not conceal his joy said: “Am grateful to God for scaling through the admission hurdles, I know it is not an easy task to pass UTME and POST UTME. It is not by my might but His grace”, he said, adding that he is determined to make a first class degree after school.

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UNICAL Management Donates Mattresses to Students

The management of University of Calabar has donated not less than 3000 new mattresses to the students who reside in the hostel. The donation was done during the median visit of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu to Malabo, the students’ hostel. The mattresses will replace the old ones which had long been infested by bedbugs.

Prof. Zana was accompanied by Prof. Felix Akpan, the Dean of Students as well as other management officials when he paid the visit. Prof. Zana who was on an inspection tour round the University campus made it known that his administration is committed to the development of the university.
It can be recalled that the students of Unical, on 12th October last year, took to the streets to protest poor hostel facilities and nonchalance of the management to take quick action on their welfare. Shortly after his installation as the Vice Chancellor, 1st December 2015, Prof. Zana promised to enhance the hostel condition. This promise built confidence in minds of the students adding to the fact that Prof. Zana is the first Unical alumnus to be the Vice Chancellor.
In a brief interview with Campuslife reporters, Prof. Zana reiterated his commitment to improve on the welfare of students of the university where he was once a student. He said: “you are aware that I am the first alumnus Vice Chancellor, so I have a passion for you because I am one of you. These visits are just indications of our commitment to you. We want to ensure that we do everything possible to improve on the welfare of the students and also to provide a conducive learning environment for them”.

Prof. Zana said plans are on going to bring back contractors handling hostel renovation projects to complete them. “We are doing everything to get back contractors to site. As you can see we are trying to do landscaping, we want to make this place more beautiful. There is a complete plan for beautification of the university so, we want to start by doing some landscaping”, he stated.

When Campuslife asked him about the memo, released by the Dean Students Affairs Prof. Felix Akpan on behalf of the management, which directed all students to vacate their halls of residence within 48 hours, the university Prof. Zana said the directive became necessary to enable fumigation exercise take place in the hostels. “It is not intended to punish the students. We want to fumigate all the hostels. You know it won’t be safe for them to remain there while fumigation is going on because of the effects of the chemicals. You are all aware of the Lassa fever outbreak, that’s what we avoiding. The students will return as soon as the effects of the chemicals are calm”.

Meanwhile some students who spoke to our correspondence, expressed appreciation to the new Vice Chancellor especially for making students’ welfare top on his agenda. Urang Zaknor said “we are quite impressed at the good ambitions of the new Vice Chancellor about our welfare. He is one of us and I’m sure he’ll do everything possible to give our university a face lift. I will also advice him to ensure better students-lecturers relationship”.

To Usang Ofem “Prof. Zana has a good spirit and a better ambition for not just the students but all other members of the university community. I see him take Unical to a greater height. He is the best for us and he’ll do very well. He needs the support of everybody because he cannot do it alone”.                                                                      
Andikan Mfon replied on Facebook that “this is really a good start for the VC. I also wish the VC will discretely promulgate policies that will help to stem the tide of corruption in Unical, especially in the Registry”.

Reported by:
Kingsley Nnabiget

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UNICAL MAN O’WAR HONOURS NEW V.C.

The Man O ’War team in University of Calabar has organized a parade which was tagged guard of honour for the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof. Zana Akpagu. The parade which was organised on the premises of the VC;s administrative block was arranged by the Man O’ War and the Unical security team.

The V. C was joined by the Acting Chief Security, Mr. Jarlath Abang, Emeka Onu, Man O’ War Instructor and other staff members as he inspected the guard, while Unical students, new and old members of the Man O’ War observed the scene.

While speaking, the Instructor of Man O’ War and the author of the initiative Emeka Onu, a Law Student, said that the guard of honour is an exercise marked to pay homage to the new VC and display the high level of alertness and readiness of the Man O’ War towards ensuring peace and security in the University.
After inspecting the guard, Prof. Zana promised to put more efforts in order to ensure that the Man O’ War as well as the security department of the school gets adequate support to do their work more effectively.

Emeka Onu reassured the Prof. Zana that the Man O’ War under his charge will ensure effective security system in the school hostels, classrooms and around. “Man O’ War is an ineligible aspect of the students body. We do not carry arms but we inspect student activities up to their hostel corners to make sure miscreants don’t penetrate into the students folk and cause damage. The students are our friends. We know ourselves. They know us. That is the best to police students, not by pursuing with arms and ammunitions.

Man O’ War instructor continued that development cannot take place in a chois environment. Those calling for protest, riot and war are those who have no plan for progressive development in our country. Lovers of development are those who sue for peace and not war”.
Onu challenged the students to be of good behaviour and learn to follow peaceful means in presenting their issues to the management rather than protest and riot.  “The students and union leaders should follow dialogue because that is the most accepted fashion of dispute resolution globally. Let us stop riots in our campuses and we will see development take place”, he concluded.

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UNICAL teacher, 2 students abducted by gun men

Unknown gun men, numbering about 7 have adopted a Unical lecturer from his Staff Quaters residence.

The victim, Dr. Stephen Ndifon, a lecturer in the College of Medical Sciences and also a Medical Doctor, was whisked away by the gun men who buggled his premises in the early hours of Tuesday, 3rd May. Witnesses and neighbours told our reporter that the gun men arrived around 4am, shooting sporadically into the air to scare away the people. After the operation which lasted for about 30 mins, Dr. Ndifon along with 2 other students who are resident in his boys quaters were kidnapped. The gun men quickly left the scence, using a speed boat with which they came.

Staff quaters residents who spoke with our correspondents expressed bitterness over the incident lamenting that this is one of the several criminal acts that take place in the area, most times in a broad day light. They questioned why the gun men could operate for such a long time without opposition from security personnel or the police.  The Airport police station is located outside the university, about 3 KM away.

 The school Public Relations Officer Mr. Eyo Effiong gave the assurance that the matter has been reported to the Nigerian Police Force.

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